System of distributing electrical energy.



P. H. THOMAS.

SYSTEM OF DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICAL ENERGY.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1903.

930,325 Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

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PERCY n. THQMXS,

UNIT D, STATES OFFIOE, v I

or rrrrsnuac, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIcNon TO COOPER HEWITT ELEG- rarc COMPANY, A cORr RA'rION or NEW YORK.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

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Original application filed January 20, 1903, Serial No. 189,775. Divided and this application filed Kay 6, 1903.

Serial No.

have relatively large heat-radiating capaci-- :Pennsylvania, have invented certain "new and useful Improvements in Systems of Distributing Electrical Energy, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in systems of electrical distribution.

The object of my invention is to provide means for delivering from suitable sources of alternating electric currents a'fiow of electric current in a given direction in two or more work or consumption circuits.

The general plan of the invention is to insert between the alternating source and two consumption circuits, suitable devices for permitting the flow of the positive impulses only to one circuit and permitting the ow of the negative im ulses from the source to the other circuit. hese two circuits may be so combined as to have a common return conductor.

There are various modifications in the general organization of the ap aratus. Typical forms are illustrated in t e accompanying drawings; in which Figure 1 illustrates the invention as applied to a single phase source feeding a threewire system; Fig. 2 illustrates a modification; and Fig. 3 illustrates a three-wire-circuit supplied with two phase circuits derived from a three-phase source.-

Referring to the drawings, 4;, represents any suitable alternating current generator or transformer, or other source of alternating currents.

1, 2 and 3, represent the main conductors of a three-wire system of distribution or work circuit. The wire 2 is connected directly with one terminal of the source. The other terminal of the'source is connected by a conductor, 7, through a suitable form of current rectifier, 5, with the main conductor 1, and also through a similar device, 6, with the main conductor 3. These current rectifiers are here diagrammatically represented as forms of the so-called Cooper Hewitt apparatus of the general character described in certain patents issued to him on September however, somewhat shorter than when the devices are employed for giving light and ties. They consist generally of ,inclosing chambers containing a vapor which permits the passage of electric current between two electrodes, one at least of which may with advantage be of mercury and may serve to supply the contained vapor. These devices, as now well understood, will permit the passage of current under pro r-conditions in one direction while opposing a' practically rohibitive resistance to the flow of current in the opposite direction. By arranging the current rectifier, 5, so as to permit the flow. of positive current in the direction indicated by the arrow, that is to say, in the direction from the conductor 1,, to the conductor 7, and arranging the rectifier 6, to ermit the passage of posltive current from t e conductor 7, to the conductor 3, it willresult that positive current from the conductor, 7, can fiowto the work circuits 3, 2, only through the device 6, returning'through the conductor 2, to the other side of the source; while positive impulses from the other terminal of the source can pass through the conductor 2, and thence throu h the work circuit to the conductor 1, and through the rectifier 5, back to the source by Way of conductor- 7, I have indicated the work circuit as supplying any suitable form of translating devices, 10, 10. It will thus be seen that the devices 10, between the conductors 2 and 3, will be suplied with successive positive impulses flowmg in the direction from3 to 2, and, likewise, the devices 10 between the conductors 2 and 1, will be supplied with positive impulses flowing from 2 to 1, these impulses alternatin in time. 'or the purpose of securing a more con stant flow of current in the respective circuits, any suitable form of accumulator,

such, for instance, as storage batteries, 8'

and 9, ma y be connected across the respecthe several conductors in the manner shown in Fig. 2, for instance. The armatures maybe mechanicallyv connected on the sameshaft or the momentum acquired by the device acting as a motor, may serve to opvals. evident without further descriptlon.

erate it as a generator at the proper inter- The operation of .this device will be ductor 3 of the corresponding terminal of the device 6. Included in the conductor 15, is a suitable reactive device, 12, and a circuit closing switch, 13, for completing its connections when desired. A switch, 14,

may be employed for short-circuiting the device 6, to permit a flow of current through U on a sudden the reactive device 12.

y the switch,

breaking of this connection 14, an impuls e of high-electro-motive-force will be impressed upon the device 6, serving to overcome its resistance to starting. The

circuit connections of the battery, 11, may

then remain closed, if desired, insuring a sufficient flow of current from the supplemental electrode, 19, to the electrode connected with the conductor 3 ,-to maintain the current rectifier in such condition as to per mit the passage of positive currents. A similar arrangement may be employed in connection with the rectifier 5, if desired. Other means of insuring that the rectifier shall be in proper condition to permit-the flow of positlve currents at the proper times may be employed in lieu of that described.

In Fig. 3, a modification is illustrated in which a transformer having primary coils 16 adapted to receive three-phase currents, is employed. The secondary coils, 17 and 18, deliver two-phase currents to the threewire circuit, 1, 2, 3. In this organization four rectifiers are employed, as illustrated at 5, 6 and 5 6 The rectifiers 5? and 5*, permit the flowof currents to the conductor 1, while the rectifiers, 6 and 6', permit the current delivered to the conductor 2, to pass through the work circuit by way of the conductor, 3, back to the respective terminals of the transformers 17 and 18. In this figure, I have shown in addition to the translating or consumption devices, 10, a translating device, 20, connected directly across the two wires, 1 and 3. This may represent any suitable form of device re%iring the potential of the outside wires.

ratus is applicable .to other numbers of hases and arrangements of circuits, such, tor instance, as three-wire three-phase circuits or two independent circuits'out of synchronism. It is also a parent that the conductor 2 may honsist 0 two wires instead of a single conductor.

This application is a division of an application Serial Number 139,775, filed by me January 20, 1 903.

I claim as my invention:

In a system of electrical distribution, thecombination with three-phase mains and means for deriving therefrom independent two-phase sources, of a three wire work circuit connected to two of the terminals of the said independent sources, the neutral wire of the receiving circuit being connected to the two other terminals of these sources and vapor electric devices connected between each of the outside direct current mains and each of the first named two phase terminals so directed as to pass current through the work circuit in one direction only, together with storage batteries between the receiving circuit mains and the neutral wire whereby energy from eitherof the independent two phase sources impresses a constant potential upon one only of the sides of the three wire receiving circuit.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of New York, this 28thday of April A. D. 1903.

PERCY H. THOMAS.

I/Vitnesses:

WM. H. OAPEL, GEORGE H. SITOOKBRIDGE. 

